Wiring device



INVENTOR Fig.2

G. C. LENNOX WIRING DEVICE Filed May 5, 1959 Elf WITNESSES QJ; f

Aug. 7, 1962 n Y n E e N L wm C f T e A g 3,048,808 WIRING DEVICE George C. Lennox, Southbury, Conn., assignor to The Bryant Electric Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed May 5, 1959, Ser. No. 811,200 3 Claims. (Cl. 339-53) The present invention relates to electrical Wiring devices and more particularly to Wiring devices that are constructed for engagement with electrical discharge lamps.

With reference, for example, toa fluorescent-type lamp, an electric discharge through the lamp emits radiation which actuates a material disposed on an envelope of the lamp to generate light.

In using a lamp of this type, means must be provided for supporting and for energizing the lamp. The means just referred to is commonly termed a lampholder and is constructed to satisfy electrical and mechanical specilications, some of which are determined by the particular lamp to be held, and in addition, to satisfy prevailing safety and economic considerations.

Reduction of manufacturing costs in a competitive market through lthe use of less material and through the accomplishment of simplicity and ease of assembly is a necessary goal in the construction of a wiring device or a lampholder, particularly when labor and material costs are a substantial portion of overall costs. However, it is important that these cost reduction eifort-s do not result in the creation `of a device in which technical functions have been impaired for the sake lof economic considerations. The principles of the present invention will be more fully understood in the perspective of the foregoing remarks.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel electrical wiring device in which technical `functionality is efficiently achieved.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a novel Wiring device for which rapid assembly of its component parts is achieved.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel lampholder in which a unique engagement is provided for conductive members which transmit electrical energy to a lamp supported by the holder.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel lampholder in which means integral .to the lampholder automatically retains terminal and contact means of resilient wire without the use of separate fasteners.

These and other objects will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiments of the invention Lin relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a top plan view of a lampholder constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention with one conductive member being removed;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the lampholder shown in FIG. l taken along the reference line II--II thereof;

FIG. 3 is `a sectional view of the lampholder shown in FIG. l taken along the reference line III-III thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the lampholder shown in FIG. l taken along the reference line IV-IV thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lampholder shown in FIG. l taken along the reference line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the lampholder shown in FIG. l taken along the reference line Vl-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan View of the lampholder shown in FIG. 1, with two conductive members being shown in this instance;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a terminal shown inserted in the lampholder of FIG. l; and,

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary View of the lampholder shown antenas Patented Aug. 7, l92

2 in FIG. 1 including a modification of the conductive member of FIG. 1.

In accordance with the broad principles of the invention, a wiring device comprises an integral housing for thereception and ready engagement of conductive members which are arranged to transmit electric energy to a supported lamp. Although .the illustrated lampholder will be described to point out the invention, it is to be remembered that other forms of wiring devi-ces with modified structures can equivalently be constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. With a view toward this consideration, the detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention will now follow.

One common variety of uorescent lamps is characterized by an elongated light emitting envelope which terminates at its opposite ends in base structures for support in respectively associated lampholders. Additionally, this common type lamp (not shown) has a pair of contact pins projecting from each base for electrical engagement with conductive members within lthe respective lampholders. When the lamp is properly engaged with its associated lampholders, a starting switch (not shown) can be actuated to establish a ow of electric energy to the lamp so that 'resistance heating internally of the lamp and across respective pairs Iof pins will facilitate a `discharge of electricity between the opposite ends of the envelope of the lamp. Once the discharge is initiated, electricity flows from one lampholder to the opposite lampholder through a discharge path in the interior of the envelope and, as a consequence, emits radiation which activates the lamp envelope to generate light.

Thus, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, a lampholder 10, for a lamp of the type just considered, comprises a unitary housing 12 having means for supporting contact members 14 and terminal members 16. The hou-sing 12, of a suitable insulating material, includes an elongated wall 18 for reception of the contact members 14 and for support of an inserted lamp and a base 20 which extends ytransversely from one end of the Wall 18 for reception of the terminal members 16 to which respective adjacent ends of the contact members 14 can be connected.

Rigidity is provided for the Wall 18, in part, by longitudinal side ridges 22 having end portions 24 spaced from one another by a slot 26. Additionally, a section 28 of each of these end portions overhangs an opening 30 which desirably extends to a back or under side of the wall V18, as most clearly illustrated in FIG. 3, in order to facilitate a forming of the over-hanging section 28 in molding the housing 12. A middle partition 32, extending laterally of the base 20, cooperates with the side ridges 22 to define a separate channel 34 for each of the contact members 14. Within each of the channels 34, a bottom surface 36 lies in a plane which is graded slightly, as indicated by reference numeral 35 (FIG. 3), from the base 20 to the vertical plane of the free end of the partition 32. The purpose of the grading will become more evident as the description continues.

A circular recess 38 is provided for the reception and support of the aforementioned lamp. Positioned concentrically within the recess 38 is a split embossment 40 which .serves as guiding and engaging means for the lamp. A platform 42 is formed adjacent each side ridge 22 and is disposed to extend to the circular recess 3S. The plane of the upper surface of the platform 42 intersects the plane of the bottom surface 36 of the channels with an intersection line indicated by the reference character 44 and is substantially perpendicular tothe base 20. An elevated section 46 of the platform 42 extends along each side ridge 22 and the circular recess 38 to the opening 30 (FIGS. 1 and 7) and is raised to a level enabling free end 78 of the contact 14 to be passed over the elevated aliases section 46 and under the overhang 28 into the opening 36 with allowable tolerances for proper fit.

The base 20 of the lampholder 10, as previously mentioned, extends transversely from the wall 18 with a slot 21 for passage of a fastener (not shown) in mounting the lampholder 10. In general, the base 20 is adapted for supporting the terminals 16 so that the contact members 14 can extend therefrom into the Wa-ll 18 in a manner generally related in previous description but to be considered more thoroughly hereinafter. A channel 54 at each of opposite ends of the base 20 provides space for reception of the contact member 14 and the terminal 16 which is guided into the channel 54 through base slots 48. When the terminal 16 is inserted in the base 20, access is had thereto for making power conductor connections over the upper surface of a ledge 50- and between outwardly flared, vertical base surfaces 52. A bottom surface 56 of the channel 54 extends to an area Where communication is had with an opening 58 that extends to the back or under side 32 of the lampholder 10. A surface 60 on a base section 62 and a surface 64 taper toward each other from top to bottom and define a passage between the wall channel 34 and the base channel 54. The angle of taper is made to facilitate passage of the contact member 14 between the upstanding surfaces 60, 64 in a downward direction, as viewed in FIGS. 1 3 and 7, and to ensure that the separation between lower ends 66 of the tapered surfaces 60, 64 is sufficient for the contact member 14 to` pass therebetween into the underset opening 58 which extends to the bottom of the lampholder 10. It should be realized that the opening 58 need not be and is only desirably extended to the bottom of the base Ztl to facilitate forming the base section 62 in molding the housing 12.

The terminal member 16 is a relatively small stamping from, for example, sheet brass. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the terminal member 16 is generally T-shaped with Van opening 68 for engagement with the contact 14 and with provision for reception of a screw 70 to engage an external conductor or lead. As in the case of many terminal devices, the screw 70 when connected to the terminal 16 can be staked to prevent removal therefrom. Wings 72 guide the terminal 16 along the slots 48 of the base 20 into the inserted position in the lampholder 10, as shown in FIGS. l and 7.

The contacts 14, in the present embodiment of the invention, are readily constructed from continuous coils of insulated, hard-tempered brass wire. Each contact 14 is cut to the .desired length and stripped of insulation 74 at one end 7 6 to provide for conductive engagement with the terminal 16, and, to a greater extent, at an opposite or free end 78 to provide for conductive engagement with the previously mentioned lamp pins. Once the insulation 74 is stripped as required, forming equipment can be further utilized, if desired, to form the wire into a shape as shown in FIG. l. Thus, an indented section 80 of the wire contact 14 conforms to a portion of the outer periphery of the adjacent one of the portions of the embossment 4t) and thereby provides an elongated area for electrical engagement of the lamp pins, while the opposite, bared end 76 of the wire contact 14 is offset here for electrical engagement with the terminal 16 through the terminal opening 68.

To this point in the description, consideration for the most part has been made of the structure of the lampholder ltl, and it remains to describe in detail its operation. An assembly of the lampholder is accomplished by lirst forcing the end 76 of the wire contact 14 into the opening 68 of the terminal 16, and then passing the o-pposite end 78 of the Wire contact 14 over the base elevated section 46 and under the overhang 28 into the Wall opening 30. The terminal wings 72 are then guided into and along the base slots 4S so that `an intermediate section 82 of the wire contact 14 passes through the space between the tapered vertical surfaces 60, 64 of the base 20. The terminal 16 is then forced downwardly until a leading edge 84 of the terminal 16 rests against the bottom surface 56 of the base recess 54. At this position, the intermediate section 82 of the wire contact 14 will have been deflected toward the longitudinal center line of the lampholder 10 as a result of passing between the tapered vertical base surfaces 60, 64 and will consequently move with considerable spring force into the underset opening 58 to be stably positioned under the base section 62 which overhangs the opening 58. A procedure identical to the one just .described will provide for assembly of a second wire contact 14 `and terminal member 16 with the housing 12 and thereby complete the assembly of the lampholder 10.

In the assembled lampholder 10, each of the terminals 16 is stably positioned as a result of downward forces on the intermediate section 82 of the wire contact 14 exerted by the tapered and over-hanging base section 62 and as a result of supporting forces exerted by all those portions of the base 20 which are adjacent to the terminal 16. Each wire contact 14 extends upwardly along the up graded bottom surface 36 of the wall channel 34 so that the end 78 of the Wire contact 14 is deilected slightly downwardly to project into the wall opening 31) under the overhanging wall section 28, respectively. Additionally, the indented section of the wire contact 14 is biased against the adjacent portion of the split embossment 40 as a result of spring forces transmitted through the intermediate section 82 of the wire contact 14. The last mentioned spring forces arise because the intermediate sec tion 82 of the wire contact 14 in its fully inserted position is angularly deflected from the normal axis of the resilient wire toward the central longitudinal axis of the lampholder 10 by the adjacent base section 62.

The end 78 of the wire contact 14 which extends into the base opening 30 is free to move transversely of the opening 30 and away from the embossment 40, but .it can be firmly stationed against the underside of the overhang 28 as the result of its slight deflection from the inclined plane 35 of the wire contact 14 in the wall channel 34.

Once the terminals 16 are connected to a Wiring system for a supply of electric energy, a lamp can be readily assembled with a pair of the lampholders 10 for light generation. The previously mentioned pins of the lamp are passed through the slot 26 `between the lbase ridge portions 24 so that one of the pins continues through the space Within the split embossment 40 to a-n opposite side of the circular recess 38. A rotation of the lamp -then effects passage of each pin 4between the embossment 40 and the indented section 80 of the Wire contact member 14, respectively. The lamp is rotated approximately until the pins are positioned substantially at the midpoint of the indented sections 80 of the wire contacts 14. At that position, a highly effective electrical connection is established between each of the Wire contacts 14 and respective pins as a result of the previously described contact spring forces `which operate to cla-mp the pins between the contacts y14 and the embossment 40. If desired, the wire contact 14 can be provided With a second ndented section 87, as shown in FIG. 9, to afford indexing action that will idene a final rotary position for the pins of the inserted lamp. Of course, a lamp of the exempliiied uorescent ty-pe must be connected tol a lampholder 10 at each of ythe opposite ends of the lamp for conventional operation.

'From the `foregoing description, it will be appreciated that a lampholder is uniquely constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention With a considerable savings in material and assembly labor cost. There is no need for an insulating cover `for safety purposes because t-he only section of the lampholder which is freely accessible includes those portions of the contact members 14 which remain insulated.

In addition to the principles of the invention being l '5 specically applicable to the illustrated lampholder, those skilled in the art to which the invention belongs can readily embody the principles in other lampholders and, more generally, in other wiring devices. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention -be not limited by the illustrative embodiment, but rather, that it be limited only by the scope and spirit of its broad principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder -for a lamp, said holder comprising an integral housing of insulating material adapted for supporting said lamp, said housing having an elongated recess extending inwardly of one side thereof, contact means formed from resilient wire, terminal means engaging one end of said wire contact means, said terminal and contact means being jointly positioned in said recess, means for supporting said terminal and contact means including a portion of said Ihousing extending laterally into said recess and over an intermediate portion of said Wire contact means so as to hold the latter inwardly of said recess and to bias the free end of said Wire contact means against an adjacent section of said housing, and including another -portion of said housing extending laterally into said recess to hold the free end of said -wire contact means inwardly of said recess yet to enable the same to be deflected from its biased position.

2. A holder adapted for supporting a lamp, said holder comprising an elongated housing of insulating material, said housing having an elongated recess extending inwardly of an open side thereof, an elongated resilient Wire Contact member located in said housing recess, said housing having oppositely located portions of which at least one projects into said recess adjacently of said open housing side so as to dene a passage located between said housing portions and extending generally in the longitudinal direction and extending from the exterior to a portion of said recess directly inwardly of said one housing portion, one end portion of said wire contact member being engaged with a terminal suitably supported relative to said housing, an intermediate portion of said wire contact member being guidingly insertable into said housing recess through said passage, said one `wire Contact end portion being so located and supported as to urge said intermediate wire contact portion captively inwardly of said one housing portion, the other end portion of said wire contact member being disposed for pivotal movement about said intermediate wire contact portion to engage resiliently a lamp terminal, the extreme end of said wire contact other end portion being captively located directly inwardly of an additional housing portion project. ing into said recess adjacent said housing open side, and

respective wall portions of said housing limiting pivotal movement of said extreme Wire contact end within the captive region defined by said additional housing portion.

3. A holder adapted for supporting a lamp, said holder comprising an elongated housing of insulating material, said housing having an elongated recess extending inwardly of an open side thereof, an elongated resilient wire contact member located in said housing recess, said housing having oppositely located portions of which at least one projects into said recess adjacently of said open housing side so as to deiine a passage located between said housing portions and extending generally in the longitudinal direction and extending -frorn the exterior to a portion of said recess directly inwardly of said housing portion, one end portion of said wire contact member being engaged with a terminal suitably supported relative to said housing, an intermediate portion of said wire contact member being covered with insulating material and being insertable into said housing recess through said passage, said one Wire contact end portion being so located and supported as to urge said intermediate insulated wire contact portion captively inwardly of said one housing portion, the other end portion of said wire contact member being disposed for pivotal movement about said intermediate wire contact portion to engage resiliently a lamp terminal, the extreme end of said wire contact other end portion being captively located directly inwardly of an additional housing portion projecting into said recess adjacent said housing open side, and respective wall portions of said housing limiting pivotal movement of said extreme wire contact end within the captive region dened by said additional housing portion.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,536,522 Pellegren May 5, 1925 1,786,292 De Reamer Dec. 23, 1930 1,989,890 Slade et al. Feb. 5, 1935 2,M1,065 Hawkins May 6, 1941 2,292,051 Chirelstein Aug. 4, 1942 2,407,685 Rudolph Sept. 7, 1946 2,447,801 Gaynor Aug. 24, 1948 2,463,961 Goehst Mar. 8, 1949 2,635,169 IMiller Apr. 14, 1953 2,729,799 Pistey Jan. 3, 1956 2,780,790 Hub-bell Feb. 5, 1957 2,848,705 Williams et al Aug. 19, 1958 FORETGN PATENTS 550.035 Great Britain Dec. 18, 1942 

